2014 World Day of Social Justice and THL

Social justice means different things to different people, and has evolved over time to include/ recognize more issues, as the voices of traditionally marginalized peoples have been amplified through social media and viral campaigns, as well as through political lobbying and protest. Observed globally each year, the World Day of Social Justice (Feb. 20th) recognizes both the need for social and political change, as well as the progress of activists, students, communities, citizens, policy-makers and organizations towards making the world more just.

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon’s message for World Day of Social Justice is:

“The gap between the poorest and the wealthiest around the world is wide and growing. … We must do more to empower individuals through decent work, support people through social protection, and ensure the voices of the poor and marginalised are heard.”

Sometimes for people from the United States, “social justice” can seem like something is needed in faraway, “other” places- like Russia, Cambodia, Somalia… But when you examine U.S. data on racism, health disparities, educational inequity, poor workplace conditions, gender discrimination, human trafficking and a whole host of other issues, it becomes clear that with the challenge of social justice, the global is clearly also local.

I decided not to focus on one social justice issue, and instead I exhort you to think about this; take a stand against injustice, wherever and however you can. It might mean something different in my life and career than in yours, but it all begins with knowledge and courage.

Social justice means different things to different people, and has evolved over time to include/ recognize more issues, as the voices of traditionally marginalized peoples have been amplified through social media and viral campaigns, as well as through political lobbying and protest. Observed globally each year, the World Day of Social Justice (Feb. 20th) recognizes both the need for social and political change, as well as the progress of activists, students, communities, citizens, policy-makers and organizations towards making the world more just.

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon’s message for World Day of Social Justice is:

“The gap between the poorest and the wealthiest around the world is wide and growing. … We must do more to empower individuals through decent work, support people through social protection, and ensure the voices of the poor and marginalised are heard.”